Method of and apparatus for cutting continuous strip plastic material



Aug. 25, 1942. w. J. BRE TH ETAL 2,294,020 METHOD GRAND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING continuous VSTR'IP PLASTIC-MATERIAL f Filed Janf8, 1940 s'she cs-slheet 1 ATTORNEYS INVENTORS 'WALTER J. BRETH MAX ENGLER w. J. BRETH EIAL 2,294,020

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONAPINUOUS STRIP PLASTIC MATERIAL Aug. 25,1942.

Filed Jan. 8, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m y T chs m E I mx O wTA n Aug. 25, 1942.

W. J. BRETH ETAL "METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS STRIP PLASTIC MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 MAX ENGLER INVENTORS WALTER J. BRE TH g N 8 w RN v.0 L QM \NN 8Q w: m8 ww mQ wt *5 6 3 @M Q U emw EN *N E \NN @Q NNN g ill H Am Rd H o T I 3 v v mv I 4- I. Q n m m I E R M T u a 5 w "T 65 m u u m 2: 3 u t u a 1. m m 1 E 5am; w m 5 u 1 m mw vb 2 u 1: u $5 $9: m r in %Q\ m u u .n I R. ww m m mm 2 mi $4 $3 r n m H m x T mm 1 u: 3 m l w 1: u 2*" 1&5 n r T I I f um NQ wfi m9 mw I N wk Q 9v m5 m9 .mw Mm.

ATT ORN EYS Aug,- 25,1942. w. J. BRETH ETAL 2,294,020 METHOD OF ANDAPPABATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS STRIP PL ASTIOMATERIAL FLled Jan. 8. 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 4 T 'II/III/IUIIII/IIIIII).

INYENTORS WALTER J. BRETH BY 'MAX ENGLER ATTORNEYS M8:- 25', 1 2 w. J. BRETH ETAL ,020, film-Hon or" {m0 APPARATUS FQP\ CUTTING conwmpous STRIP PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed Jan. 8, i940 e Sheets-Sheet 5 I34 I56 I55 6 I53 INVENTORS WALTER J. BRETH MAX ENGLEVR Patented Aug. 25, 1942 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS STRIP PLASTIC MATERIAL Walter J. Breth and Max Engler, Akron, Ohio,

assignors to The General Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 8, 1940, Serial No. 312,870

42 Claims. (Cl. 164-48) This .invention relates toa method of and appavatus for cutting continuous flexible strip material into pieces, and more particularly to improvements in the method of and apparatus for .uniformly and accurately cutting a continuous strip of plastic rubber vehicle tire tread stock into tread strips of predetermined length A principal object of the invention is to pro- .vide a method of forming tread stock strips and apparatus for carrying out the method in which the strips are successively cut from the continuously advancing end of a composite strip of flexible rubber material and after being cut the severed ends of the strips are separated to prevent their adhering together. I

Another object is to provide a continuous strip cutter in which the cutting blade moves with the advancing strip to be cut during the severing operation and remains between the severed ends of the strips until the same have been separated from one another.

Another object is to provide a conveyor system for a continuous strip cutter which includes a discharge conveyor forreceiving cut strips, in which the speed of the receiving or discharge conveyor is momentarily increased after each severing of the strip material so as to withdraw the severed piece or strip from the end of the continuous strip.

Another object is to provide a method of and apparatus'for forming tread stock strips in which an advancing strip of rubber material is reversely bent or twisted to dispose the ultimate inner side thereof uppermost and a strip of cushion rubber stock is applied to the upturned inside surface of the tread rubber to form a composite has been accurately measured, means for shifting the cutter' blade laterally after the completion of the cutting operation to positively separate the cut ends of the strip material, and means for clamping the cutter carriage to themoving conveyor, in combination with means for applying an independent force to the carriage to advance the same with the conveyor. Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to features of construction and mode of operation, such as adjustable means for driving the conveyors whereby their relative speeds may be varied and the use of overrunningclutches in the initial impulse mechanism, as well as the flexibility of apparatus embodying the invention for use in cutting strip material of various shapes and sizes, will become apparent from the following detailed description of a suitable embodiment of the invention. In considering the disclosure it is to be understood that while the machine shown is particularly adapted to the cutting of strips of flexible rubber material for use as tire tread strips, the principles of the invention are equally applicable to machines of similar character for use in the cuttingof various plastic strips into short 7 pieces of fixed length for numerous other uses.

continuous strip which is subsequently'cut into pieces of predetermined length.

Machines, have heretofore been employed for the purpose of cutting an advancing strip of rubber into pieces of predetermined length for use in forming the tread of vehicle tires. The present invention is directed, therefore, to improvements in machines of this character and their method of operation so as to cut strips with greater accuracy andwith greater speed and with the possibility of severed ends of the rubber strip adhering'together reduced to a minimum.

Among the improvements provided by the =pre'sent invention is more accurate and precise means for actuating the cutter in response to a control governed by the movement of the advancing strip of plastic material, novel means for holding the reciprocable' cutter carriage at its starting position until a length of strip material to be cut noids of the apparatus;

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a rubber tire tread assembly machine and cutter:

-Figure 1 is a plan view on a reduced scale and .with parts broken away showing the apparatus for assembling a composite rubber strip and cutting the same into equal lengths;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the path of a continuous strip of flexible rubber material over the several conveyors of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section andwith parts broken away, showing the cutting appa atus;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic drawing showing th matic cylinders and the electromagnets or sole- Fig. 6 is a top plan view with parts broken away, of the cutter apparatus;

Fig. I is a side elevational view with parts broken away or the apparatus shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section with parts broken away taken substantially on the line 8--8 of Fi 4 and enlarged with respect thereto;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section and with parts brokenaway, showing controls for operating the hydraulic or pne'uthe carriage portion of the cutting apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail with parts broken 'away showing the cutter carriage as the same is retained in starting position by the holding means;

' v Fig. 11 is a foreshortened sectional view with parts broken away showing the overrunning clutches for driving the discharge conveyor and taken substantially on the line II-.II of Fig. 7 and enlarged with respect thereto;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional detail with partsthroughout the several views, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a group of infeed conveyors I, assembling machine A,- cutter C,,- and a discharge conveyor D. A continuous strip S of plastic. rubber material is supplied to the infeed conveyors I from a suitable source of supply such as a calender, not shown, after having been passed over or through suitable apparatus, not shown, for cooling the same so that when the strip S is received by the first of the infeed conveyors I, indicated at I, substantially all of the shrinkage which normally occurs in flexible rubber strip material of the character contemplated, will have taken place.

which are mounted on horizontal shafts journaled in the supporting structure 8.

The conveyors of-the apparatus are actuated by a driven shaft I8 (Figs 1 and 2), which terminates in a variable speed power transmission device indicated at I9, adjustment of which may be effected by means of a handle 20? Adjacent the end of the shaft I8 a bevel gear 2| is secured thereon and arranged to drive a bevel gear 22 which is secured on shaft 22 carrying the rotatable member 3 of the infeed conveyor belt I. In this manner the infeed conveyor belt I is driven directl from the power shaft II.

A shaft 24 is driven from the shaft I8 through the variable speed drive I9 and is mounted in joumals 25 secured to the supporting structure 5. This shaft has mounted thereon a bevel gear 26 which mesheswith a bevel gear 21 on a shaft 28 journaled on thesupporting structure. The shaft 28 is disposed above and in parallel relation to shaft 29 also journaled on the supporting structure and which supports and drives the end member I! for the infeed conveyor belt I5. ;A,

chain at is trained over sprockets 3| and 22 secured on the shafts" and 29, respectively, so that the shaft 29is driven from the drive shaft 24 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the same as the shaft 22 which drives the infeed conveyor belt I is driven in a clockwise direction from the power shaft I8.

By suitable adjustment of the variable speed drive Is the speed of the conveyor belt I! can be adjusted to slightly less than that of the conveyor belt I. In this manner a slight crowding together of the portion of the' advancing rubber strip on the rollers I of the intermediate conveyor 6 can be effected. This crowding together.

of the advancing strip insures that the strip is shrunk or reduced to its minimum length for sub. sequent handling, thus minimizing shrinkage that mightoccur after the same had been cut The conveyor I maybe an endless flexible belt,

preferably of rubberized fabric material, which is carried: on rotatable supporting or end members 2 and 4 joumaled in bearings carriedby a suitable supporting structure indicated at 5.

The first conveyor I advances the strip S onto a conveyor Ii which comprises a plurality of into short strips for use in the formation of tire treads and compensating for such stretching of the strip as may have previouslyoccurred.

As the rubber strip S-moves off the end of the conveyor belt I! it is carried upwardly and back a over itself in a twist or reverse bend, indicated spaced parallel rotatable elements such as rolls I. These rolls are horizontally disposed and mounted for rotation between spaced side support members 8 which are connected to one, another by end or cross members 9 to form a conveyor frame for therollers I. This frame is pivoted at one end by a pin III secured to a cross member of the supporting structure 5 adjacent the discharge end of the first infeed conveyor I. The end of the conveyor 6 opposite the pivot pin III is mounted on a transverse threaded rod or s'naft II which is joumaled in the supporting:

structure 5 and secured against endwise movement. This shaft is provided with a crank or handle I2, by means of. which it may be rotated in either direction to shift one end of the roller frame sideways, there being a nut I4 secured to the frame and threaded on the shaft II to effect the lateralmovement of the frame when the shaft is rotated. In this manner strip material 8" moving over the conveyor 8 can be steered or directed onto an endless belt I5 which forms the third part of the infeed conveyor. This belt may be formed -of flexible rubberized fabric materialand is trained around spaced rotatable end members or cylinders I6 and I1 at 35, and onto an endless belt conveyor 3| which forms part of the assembling mechanism A5 The belt 36 may be formed' of any suitable flexible material, such as rubberized fabric or the like, and is supported by spaced parallel rotatable members or cylinders 21 and 28 which are mounted on shafts journaled in the supporting structure 5. Shaft 38 on which the rotatable end member" is secured carries a gear 40 which meshes with a gear 4|. on a shaft 42 journaled in the supporting structure 5 in parallel relation to the shaft 29. A bevel gear 42 securedon the shaft 42 meshes with a bevel gear 44 on the drive shaft 24. Thus the conveyor belt 20 is driven in synchronism with the conveyor belt I5 of the infeed conveyor, the reversing gears 4| and M effecting rotation of theshaft 42 opposite the. shaft 39, so that the strip S moves in opposite directions on the upper laps 'of the two conveyor belts.

An auxiliary supporting structure 45 carries supply or storage spindles 46 and driven spindles 41 on which may be mounted spools or rolls of relatively thin soft rubber strip material M, commonly referred to in the trade as cushionstock.

The driven spindles '41 are actuated by means.

not shown so as to rotate in synchronism with the conveyor belt 26 to deliver cushion stock strip is uppermost. The reverse bend or twist 35, in the strip S, positions the latter so that ultimate internal's'iirface 49 is positioned uppermost to receive the cushion strip M, see Fig. 8. A guide 56 positions the cushion strip M centrally on the upturned ultimate underside of the tread stock strip S and a rotatable weight rolls over the cushion strip M to knead or press the same against the surface 49 of the tread stock S, thus compacting the two pieces of rubber material intp a composite strip as they leave the end of the conveyor belt 36.

The cutting apparatus or mechanism C includes a flexible endless conveyor belt 54 which is supported by spaced parallel rotatable members or drums 55 and 56 supported by shafts 51 and 58, respectively, journaled in the supporting structure 5. The belt 54 maybe of similar construction to the belts l, l5 and 36 previously mentioned, preferably. being formed of heavy rubberized fabric material which has a great ness of about A to inch is suitable. The

onveyor belt 54 is driven from the drive shaft 24 through a transverse shaft 59 journaled in the supporting structure and having secured at one end a bevel gear 66 which meshes with a bevelgear 61 secured on the shaft 24. The end of the shaft 59 opposite the bevel gear 68 has secured thereon a gear 62 which meshes with a gear 63 secured on the shaft 51. In this manner the conveyor belt 55 is driven in synchronous relation to the conveyor belt 36, advancing the and longitudinally extending guide recesses or channels 11 which are opposed to one another and reeive marginal edge portions 18 of the upper lap of-the belt 54. Underneath the upper lap of the belt is disposed a platen or slide which has an approximately flat upper surface and marginal edge portions}; that extend into the guide recesses I1. Pins 83 are secured in the bottom walls of the, guide' recesses I1 and extend into apertures 84 formed in the marginal edges 82 of the slide 80 to prevent longitudinal shifting or displacement of the slide relative tothe carriage members 55 and 66.

In order to insure-synchronous movement of the carriage and the strip carrying lap of the belt 54, the slide 80 may be forced or displaced upwardly so that the marginal edges 18 of the belt are clamped between the edges 82 of the slide 80 and overhanging shoulders 85 of the carriage side members which form the upper walls of the guide channels 11. The movement of the slide 80 toward and away from the channel shoulders 85 is controlled by a toggle mechanism which comprises top and bottom links 86 and 81 at the front of the carriage and top and bottom links 88 and'89 at the rear of the carriage. A pair of the toggle links 86 and '81 is disposed adjacent each ofthe carriage side members 65 and 68 at the front end of the carriage, while a pair of the toggle links 88 and 89 is disposed adjacent each of the carriage side membersat the rear end of the carriage. Upper ends 90 of the top links 86 and 8 8 are journaled on pin bolts 9! carried in brackets or ears 92 depending from the' slide platen 88. Lower ends 93 of the bottom links 81 and 89 are pivotally carried by transverse bars 94 which extend across composite strip material S thereover toward the discharge conveyor-D, to be later described.

As the composite strip S is advanced by the conveyor belt 54 it is measured and then severed bya knife or cutter 64 which is carried by or mounted upon a reciprocable carriage having spaced (side members 65 and 66 which are disposed in upright positions on'opposite sides of the upper lap of the conveyor belt 54 and'in approximately parallel relation to, one another.

The upper ends of the side members are formed with journals 6'! that receive a transverse shaft 68, the ends of which project beyond the journals and have secured thereon drive or semicircular rack members 69. The arcuate peripha eries of these drive members are formed with teeth 10 whichmesh with teeth of rack members ll carried by spaced parallel'side frame members l2 and 13 of the supporting structure 5. The

racks II are disposed along opposite edges of the upper lap of the belt 54 in approximately parallel relation thereto and with their teeth facing upwardly. The sectorshaped drive members 69 are thereby supported on the racks H so that the side members 65 and 66 of the carriage are. in effect suspended or hung from the transverse,"

shaft 68. Front and rear guide rollers 14 and 15,

same on its reciprocatory path. 3

As shown in Fig. 8, the carriage members '65:

and 66 are formed with horizontally disposed the carriageand have their ends secured in sockets 95 formed in depending portions of the side members 85 and 66. Suitable bushings 96 may be provided for the ends 93 of the links, and sleeves 91 may be placed over the central parts of the rods 94 to prevent shifting of the front toggle links 86 and 81. Through the inter;

connection of the front links with the rear links uniformly and evenly toward and away from the belt engaging shoulders 18 of the side members. Actuation of the toggles to clamp the belt 54 between the slide 80" and shoulders 85 is eiiected' by a pneumatic or liydraulic piston (not shown) working ina cylinder llll, the piston being connected to the cross member I88 bymeans of piston rod I02. As" shown in Fig. 4, the cylinder l9! is'pivoted at ")3 to a cross member Ill4 of the supporting structure 5. Upon the introduction of high pressure fluid into the rear or right hand end of the cylinder Ill-l, as viewed in Figs-2, 4. 5, and 10, the pistonrod I02 is forced to the left, simultaneously actuating all the toggle links 86,

81, 88, and 89, to force the slide platen 86 upwardly, clamping thebelt 54 between the upper surface ofthe platen and the shoulders 85. of the carriage so that the carriage and upper lap of the belt are secured together and move in synchronism. In addition to actuating the toggle links'to clamp the belt and the carriagetogether the piston rod I02 forces the carriage to the left, as viewed in the figures mentioned, which is the tension springs I20 to the pivot pins I24. The

v springs I29, accordingly, tend to rotate the guides direction of movement of the upper lap of the belt' 54 in advancing the strip material S. Thus, the hydraulic mechanism serves not only to'actuate the carriage clamping mechanism but also to apply an initial impulse to start the movement is minimized and control of the carriage can be more accurately maintained. v

The knife'or cutter 54 is preferably heated by means of electric heating units or coils I01. con-;

nected to a sourceofelectric current by means of conductors I08, Fig. 6, and 'is supported on a member I09 carried by reciprocable members IIO disposed in spaced parallel relation adjacent the side members 65 and 56 of the carriage. These reciprocable members are received in guide members III pivoted on a transverse shaft II2 journaled at H3 in the carriage side members. The ends of the shaft II2 extend beyond the carriage side members and have secured thereon gears I I4 which are drivingly connected to gears II5 se-'- cured on 'the shaft 68 between the hubs of the drive members 69 and the journals 61, by means of intermediate idling gears IIG mounted on spindles secured in the carriage side members. Gears III are secured on the shaft 2 between the sides of the guides III and mesh with rack teeth II8 formed on the support members IIO. Thus. as the carriage is reciprocated on the supporting structure, rotating the shaft 08 through the inter-engagement of the teeth-I0 onthe drive members 69 with the teeth of the support- II I around the shaft II2, on which the guides are pivotally mounted, in a""clo'ckwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 10 and 14. In order to retain the guides III 50 as to hold the kniie in cutting position, guide or stop studs I30 are adjustably threaded in bosses I3I extending inwardly from the carriage side members 65 and 68. The studs or stops I30 are positioned so as to engage the links I I9 and prevent collapse of the toggle assemblies comprising the links H9 and. I20.

Struts I32 are received on the link pivots I 2| and extend forwardly therefrom between the shafts 68 and H2. The forward ends of the struts I32 have cutaway portions which form shoulders I33. Levers I34 are secured on the shaft 68 and at their ends receive threaded adjusting bolts I35 which are rotatable with the shaft, in the planes of the struts I32. When the carriage advances over a cutting stroke, the arms I34 are rotated from approximately the broken line position shown in Fig. 14 to the full line osition shown in that figure. As the cutter s4 completes the severing of the stripmaterial s at the end of the cutting stroke of the carriage. the heads of theadjusting bolts I35 engage the shoulders I33 of the struts I32, forcing the struts to the right, as viewed in Fig. 14, and moving the links H0 away from the supporting studs I30.

When the pivots I2I'have1b'een thus moved beyond their center position between the end pivots.

ter 64 upwardly and away in a forward direction so as to separate the severed ends of the strip S.-

In this manner the strip ends are separated from one another before withdrawal of the cutter to prevent adhesion of the freshly cut, tacky surfaces. Furthermore, the positive lateral shifting and retract the reciprocable knife carrying sup- I Ports 0.

The guides III are normally retained in apformed which bevels' the ends of the severed materlal. Since the severed strips or pieces are to be placed or wrapped about the periphery of a tire to form the tread portion thereof, the beveling of the strip ends is extremely helpful in forming a neatand secure Joint.v The guides III are held in the obliqueposition described by means of .links 3 and I20 which are pivotally connected together by means of pins I2I.' The links I20 are shorter than the links IIS and the lower ends thereof arebifurcated to receive the upper ends of the longer links at the pivot pins 'I2I. Upper ends of the shorter links I20 are received between extension ears I23 of the guides III and pivoted thereto by pins I22, while the lower ends of the longer links 9 are received on pivotpins I24'secured in bosses I25 of the carriage side membersliand 66.

Arms I28 extend rearwardly from the guides of the cutter 54, just described, insures a com-- ,plete severance of the strip ends and assists the initial impulse mechanism, to be later described, in separating the severed piece from the end of the continuous strip.

Upon retraction of the cutter carriage under s the influence -of the piston rod I02, the drive members 60 are rotated'in a clockwise direction from substantially the position shown in'Fig. 14 to the position shown in Fig. 10. During this movement of the carriage curved spring members I35 formed of resilient metal such as steel or brass and. secured to extension portions I31 of the arms I34, move in an arcuate path sothat their ends I38 engage the long links H0, as shown by the broken lines of Fig. 14, to move the guides I II to their oblique positions relative to the @ouveyor belt 54 and to force the links II! against the stops I30, the links being held thus bythe tension springs I23. Thus the cutter carriage is reset or placed in readiness for the next succeeding work or cutting stroke.

Hubs I33 of the guides III extend axially along the shaft 2 to support the struts I32 and retain the latter in position to be engaged by the releasin: studs I35.

Extending rearwardly from the, carriage members 6i and 36 are horizontally/ disposed arm members I40 which support fattheir extremities circular disclike bumpers- I made of suitab e magnetic material, such as ironor steel. If dev or elements I64.

sired, carriage members 65 and 66, together with the arms I40 and bumpers I 4i, may be integral and formed in a single casting operation of material such as iron or steel. Adjacent the starting position of the cutter carriage are electrothe hub no thereof a spur gear m, with which ismeshed a rack I12 actuated by piston' rod I13 which may be reciprocated by pneumatic or fluid magnets or solenoids I42 which are supported on members I43 adjustably secured in uprights I44 carried by the side frame members 12 and 13.

The tops of the supports I44 are joined by a cross starts the next succeeding cutting or work stroke at precisely the same position on thesupporting structure.

An adjustable tightener for conveyor belt 54 comprises threaded ends I41 threadedly received in stationary members I48 secured to the frame members 12 and 13. By rotation of the rods or screws I 41 by means of hex portions I49, slides I46 may be adjusted or moved to vary the tens'ion in the conveyor belt.

The discharge conveyor D comprises a pair of spaced parallel endless belts I52 and I53 carried around common end members or drums I54 and I55 rotatably mounted on shafts I56 and I51, respectively, journaled in the supporting structure 5. The rotatable member I55, like the rotatable end members previously mentioned in connection with the other endless belt. convey- -ors, may be in the form of a cylindrical shell or iron, the ends of which are carried by ci rcular end members I58, Fig. 11. These end members of the rotatable member -I 55 are secured against rotation on the shaft I51 and the latter has ends which extend beyond the journals in the supporting structure 5. Rotatably mounted on these projecting ends of the shaft I51 are drums I59 of overrunning clutch structures.

Disposed within each of the drums I59 is a cam member I60 secured against rotation onthe shaft I51 by a key I6I. Between cylindrical inner face I62 of each of the drums I59 and inclined faces I63 of the cam members I68 are wedge rollers the shaft I51 over the open ends of the drums I59 retain-the wedge elements I64 in the tapered slots between the faces I62 and I63 of the overrunning clutches.

A sprocket I66 is secured against rotation on hub I61 of one of the overrunning clutches and is driven by a chain I68 trained over a sprocket I69 secured on driven shaft 51, previously mennumber of teeth (such as one extra tooth) than the sprocket I66 so that the discharge conveyor D is actuated at a greater linear speed than the ,cutter conveyor, thereby slightly stretching the strip material being cut.

The other overrunning clutch has secured on Cover plates I65 received on pressure acting on a piston (not shown) secured on the rod and slidable in a cylinder I14. This cylinder is pivotedat I15 to the supporting structure 5 and is connected to a suitablesource of fluid pressure, as will hereinafter appear. The rack I12 is guided by a saddle member I16 pivoted to the supporting structure and a spring- I11 is arranged to retract the rack and force the piston rod I13 into the cylinder when the fluid pressure is released from the latter.

When the rack I12 is stationary the conveyor belts I52 and I53 are driven by the overrunning clutch rotated by the chain belt I68, the drum I59 of the overrunning clutch on which is mountedthe gear I1I being held stationary by the rack I12 so that the enclosed cam member I60 conveyor D is thus being accelerated or rotated rapidly by the rack m of the initial impulse mechanism just described, the driving connection between the drum member 159 of the overrunning clutch rotated by the sprocket I56 and the shaft I51 is momentarily interruped and the clutch drum idles on the shaft I51 until the speed of the discharge conveyor D is reduced at the end of the initial impulse imparted thereto by the rack I12.

A control element or finger I80 is disposed in the space between the parallel belts I52 and I53 of the discharge conveyor and extends upwardly above the strip supporting surface of the upper runs of the belts so as to be engaged and displaced or actuated by the leading edge-of the strip material 5 being advanced on the conveyor belts. This finger is pivoted at I8I on a traveling'or movable holder I82 threadedly received and supported on a threaded-rod I83 rotatably mounted in journals I84 which are secured to cross members I85 of the supporting structure. The journals I84 hold the rod I83 against endwise movement and the rod may be rotated from one side of the structure by a hand crank I86 secured on the projecting end of a rotatably mounted shaft I81 having a bevel gear I88 which meshes with a bevel gear I89 secured on the threaded rod I83. The holder I82 is provided with spaced lugs 2I3 engaging opposite sides of a stationary bar 2I4 for retaining the same with Preferably, the. sprocket I69 is slightly larger and has a greater the finger I projecting therefrom upwardly between the belts I52 and I53. An extension I90 on the finger I80 engages roller I9I of an electric switch I92 to actuate the latter when the finger I80 is displaced or pivoted on the pin II by strip material advancing on the discharge conveyor D.

In Fig. 5 is diagrammatically shown the electrical control circuit which includes the switch I92 and governs the operation of the mechanism. The switch I92 is connected by wires I18 and I19 in series with anelectromaghet or solenoid I93 for actuating a valve I94 which governs,

' the flow of fluid into and out of the hydraulic or penumatic carriage actuating cylinder IM and an electromagnet or solenoid I95 which actuates.

armature I96 of a switch which controls the energization of the holding coils or solenoids I42 previously mentioned. One side of switch I92 is connected by the wire I18 to electric wire or conductor L-I from a suitable source of electrical energy while the other side of the switch is conleading end of a strip of plastic material advancing over the discharge conveyor, the electromagnet or solenoid I 95 is energized to actuate the armature I96, thus opening the circuit for casing of the valve is actuated by an arm 2I4 to which is pivotally connected at 2I9 a control .bar or rod 220. This rod is disposed adiacent and parallel to the path of the cutter carriage.

6 The end of the rod 220 opposite the pivot 2I0-is slidably received in an aperture 01 a supporting bracket 22I mounted on the structure adjacent one of the holding coils I42, previously mentioned. An extension member or arm 222 is formed on one of the carriage arms I40 and at one end has an aperture in which the rod 220 is slidably received. A helical coil tension spring 223 is connected to the valve arm 2I8 and to the supporting structure 5 so as to normally retain the valve arm in the upright position shown in Figs. 5 and 7, a suitable stopinot shown) being provided in i the valve to limit movement .of the valve body.

In this position of the valvehigh pressure fluid enters a valve passage 224 whichcommunicates the ho d o s 4 Previously energized from with a conduit 225 connected to the upper end of the electrical energy source through conductors L--2 and I98, the latter being connected to conductor LI through conta'ctors I 99 attached to her the piston in the cylinder IN is forced to the left, projecting the piston rod I02 and actuating the toggle links 86, 81, 88, and 99 in the manner previously described. a

Referring to Fig. 7, the limit switch I91 is mounted on the supporting structure 5 adjacent the limit of movement of the cutter carriage at Roller 205 of this switch is arranged to be engaged by a shoe 200 secured to one of the carriage sidecompletion of a work or cutting stroke.

members so as ,to open the switch as the cutting stroke is completed. Accordingly, when the carriage has completed a work stroke and the knife 64 has severed the strip S, the electrical circuit through the coils I93 and I95 is broken by means of the switch I91, and the armature 200 and I95 are withdrawn from the coils by springs 201 and 208, respectively. Thus, the holding coils I42 are again energized through the contactors I99 and the valve 20I is moved to the position shown in Fig. 5, connecting the high pressure fluid conductor 203 through passage 209 in the valve I94 to tubular conductor 2I0 which leads to the left hand end of the hydraulic cylinder IOI as viewed in Figs. 4 and 10. This piston rod I02 is thereby retracted into the hydraulic cylinder under the influence of high pressure fluid from the conductor m, the fluid forced out of the cylinder ahead of the piston being discharged through the conductor 204 which connects through a passage 2 in the valve I94 to a discharge conductor 2I2. I

I The flow of high pressure fluid into and out of the hydraulic 'o'r pneumatic cylinder I14 for actuating the initial impulse mechanism of the discharge conveyor is controlled by a valve 2I5. This valve is mounted on one side of the supported to a source of fluid under pressure by means of a conduit 2I5. If desired, the conductor 2I9 may be a branch of the fluid supply conductor the cylinder I14 so as to act on the piston and force the piston rod I12 into the cylinder, thus holding the rack I12 in retracted position.

As the cutter carriage advances over a work or cutting stroke the arm 222 slides over the rod 220 and at the end of the cutting stroke or movement the arm engages a stop 226 slidable on the rod 220, the limit of movement of the stop being determined by a locking element 221 which is adjustably secured to the rod 220. A helical compression spring 228 is provided on the rod 220 between the stop 226 and the locking element 221. Upon engagement of the stop 225 by the arm 222,

the rod 220 is shifted to the right, as viewed in Figs. '6 and '1, to pivot the arm 2I8 against the tension spring 223 and to rotate the valve body 2I1 so that high pressure fluid from the tubular conduit 2I6 flows through the valve and into a tubular conduit 229 which communicates with 40 the lower end of the initial impulse cylinder I14.

Thereupon high pressurefluid enters the cylinder behind the. piston to force the piston rod I13 rapthe overrurming clutch shown in Fig. 13 to accelerate the discharge conveyor D and impart an initial impulse to the severed piece ,of strip 8 which has just been cut by the knife 54.

As the cutter carriage commences its'retum 5o movement to starting position, the arm :2: is withdrawn from the stop 226, so that the rod 220 is thereupon shiftedto the left, as viewed in Figs.

6 and 7, under the influence of the spring 222.

In this manner the valve body 2" is restored to the position shown in Fig. 5 and high pressure fiuidlthereby admitted to the upper end or the cylinder I14 retracts the piston rod and the rack I12, the discharge conveyor thereupon being driven by the overrunning clutch shown in Fig. 12. Desirably. the valve I94, together with the ac .tuating solenoid I92 therefor, is mounted in a ing or container 230 secured to one side of the supporting structure 5, as shown In Figs. 6 and '1. Also, the switch for governing the holding means or coils I42 may be mounted in a box or Durin o eration 'of the a aratus described lng structure 5, as shown in Fig. 7, and is connectg p pp above, a continuous strip of uncured tread rubber material may be advanced over the infeed conveyors I, passing successively over the endless belts I.rol1er elements 1 of the intermediate con- 203, as shown. A rotatable valve body 2I1 in the veyor 0, and the endless belt I5. As previously As appears from Figs. 2 and 4, the control mentioned, the conveyor belt I5 may be run at a speed slightly less than that of the belt I, so

that the rubber is slightly compacted on the rollers I. Also, one end of the intermediate conveyor 6 may be shifted laterally by means of the threaded rod II so as to center the strip S on the belt I5. The ultimate internal surface 49 of the strip S is disposed upwardly as the strip passes through the twist or bend 35 and carried onto the conveyor belt 36 of the assembling ap-v paratus. Here the continuous strip of I cushion stock or material M is applied to the upturned ultimate internal surface of the tread stock, being centered by the device 50 and pressed against the tread stock by the roller 5I. As the composite strip moves off the end of the conveyor belt 36 it is received by the conveyor belt 54 of the cutting apparatus. The cutter carriage remains stationary or idle until the leading end or edge of the advancing strip, is received by the parallel belts I52 and I53 of the discharge conveyor and engages the control finger I80 to displace thelatter and close the electrical circuit which energizes the solenoids I93 and I95. Thereupon the cutter carriage, released by the holding coils I42, is energized for a forward or cutting stroke by the piston in the hydraulic cylinder I'IlI. The movement of the piston rod I02 out of the cylinder IIJI under the influence of high pressure fiuid admitted thereto through the valve I94 actuates the toggle a links under the platen 80 to force the platen upwardly to grip the belt 54, so that the cutter carriage and belt are clamped together for simultaneous movement.

As the cutter carriage advances with the conveyor belt from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to approximately the broken line position' of that figure, the drive members 59 are rotated by the racks II so as to drive the cutter 64 downwardly and forwardly at an oblique angle to the strip S and belt 54, severing the strip as shown in Fig. 14. As previously mentioned, the normally faster speed of the discharge conveyor D relative to the cutter carriage 54 tensions the strip S to facilitate the cutting of the same and to aid in separating the severed ends. At the instant that the severing of the strip is completed the bolts I35, carried by the arms I34, engage the shoulders I33 of the struts I32 and movev the toggle links IIS and I20 away from the stop I so as to release the pivoted guides III, which are thereupon rotated on the shaft II2 by the tension spring I 29. This movement of the guides III carries theknife 64 upwardly and forwardly in the direction of movement of the strip to approximately the position shown in Fig. 15. This lateral shifting of the cutter or blade positively separates the severed ends of the strip so as to insure completion of the cutting operation and so that the tacky surfacesfof the cut material are less apt to adhere to one another when the I cutter is withdrawn.

Simultaneously with the completion of the cutting of the strip the control rod 220 is shifted by the carriage arm 222 so as to open the valve 2I5 and admit high pressure fluid to the cylinder I I4, which thereupon imparts an. initial impulse to the discharge conveyor belts, accelerating the belts I52 and I53 so that they carry the severed piece of strip materialforwardly at an increased rate or speed. This initial impulse action is arranged to occur sothat the severed piece of strip is carriedaway while the severed ends of the strip are held apart by the cutter 64, as shown in Fig. 15;

finger I80 is a greater distance from the receiving end of the discharge conveyor belts than the dis-.

of the strip is completed and the initial'imp'ulsemechanism is actuated to speed up the discharge conveyors. Accordingly, a greater length of the severed strip is supported by the discharge conveyors than by the cutter conveyor, so that the friction between the severed strip and the discharge conveyors is sufficient to overcome that between the strip and the cutter conveyor. Hence, the trailing end of the severed strip slides or is dragged forward a short distance on the cutter conveyor during the acceleration of the discharge conveyors under the influence of the initial impulse mechanism.

The present invention thus provides a novel method of forming and severing composite tread rubber strips for vehicle tires in which strips of tread stock material and cushioning stock material are combined in a continuous operation and fed to a cutting apparatus which severs the composite strip by an oblique out which pro vides beveled ends on the pieces severed from the end of the continuously advancing severed strip. Additionally, the method involves the retention of the cutter between the severed ends of the strip until the latter are positively separated from one another, thus avoiding .adhesion of the ends after they haveonce been severed, and the positive separation of the severed ends by a lateral shifting of the cutting knife.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claimsto the'specific details disclosed.

What we claim is:

v 1. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, an endless conveyorthereon for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in parallelism with the conveyor, a knife on the carriage, and means on the carriage interconnected with the supporting structure for driving the advancing strip material, 'a carriage movable in parallelism with the conveyor, means for securing the carriage to the conveyor for synchronous movement therewith, a knife on the carriage, and means on the carriage interconnected with the supporting structure for driving the knife to sever strip material on the conveyor in response to movement of the carriage.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor thereon for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in parallelism with the conveyor, a knife on the carriage, a rack on the supporting structure, and means on the carriage including a member engageable with the rack for driving the knife to sever strip material on the conveyor in response to movement of the carriage.

.4. Apparatus of the character described comprising incombination, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor thereon for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in parallelism with the conveyor, a knife on the carriage, rotatable gear means on the carriage for actuatingthe knife, a rack on the supporting structure, and means on the carriage including a member engageable with the rack for driving the gear means to actuate the, knife in response to movement of the carriage.

5. 'Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor thereon for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in parallelism with the conveyor, means for securing the carriage to the conveyor for synchronous movement therewith, a knife on the carriage, rotatable gear means on the carriage for actuating the knife, a rack on the supporting structure, and means on the carriage including a member engageable with the rack for driving th gear means to actuate the knife in response to movement of the carriage.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for supporting and advancing'strip material, a carriage movable in the same direction as material on the conveyor, clamp means for securing the carriage to the conveyor for'synchronous movement therewith, means for actuating the clamp means and'for driving the carriage, control means responsive to the movement of strip material on the conveyor for starting the clamp actuating and carriage driving means, and a cutter on the carriage for severing strip material.

'7. Apparatus for the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in the same direction as material on the conveyor, holding means on the structure for resisting. movement of the carriage, drive means for the carriage, control means responsive to the movement of strip material on terial, a carriage on the structure movable in the same direction as material on the conveyor, 9. guide pivotally mounted on the carriage, a cutter reciprocable on the guide, a rotatable shaft, means engageable with the supporting structure to rotate the shaft during movement of the carriage, means connecting the shaft and cutter to actuate the same, and means for turning the guide to shift the cutter laterally after a cutting stroke.

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a supporting structure, a conveyor for supportingand advancing strip material, a movable carriage on the structure, an actuating member on the carriage, a pivotally mounted guide on the carriage, a reciprocable cutter on the guide, means interconnecting the cutter and the actuating member to drive the cutter, means for holding the guide with the cutter in cutting position, spring means for tuming the guide to shift the cutter laterally, and means movable with the actuating member to release the holding means and allow the spring means to shift the guide and cutter.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising a first conveyor for supporting and advancing continuous strip material, a movable cutter associated with the conveyor to sever material advancing thereon, a second conveyor for receiving and advancing severed strip material from the first conveyor, drive means for the conveyors, and means operating in timed relation with the cutter to momentarily'increase the speed of the second conveyor after each strip severing movement of the cutter.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a first "conveyor for supporting and advancing continuous strip material, a movable cutter associated with the conveyor to sever material advancing thereon, a second conveyor for the conveyor for releasing the holding means and 8. Apparatus for the character described com- I prising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage movable in the same direction as material on the conveyor, clamp means for securing the carriage to the conveyor for synchronousmovement therewith, means for actuating the clamp means and for driving the'carriage,

prising in combination, a supporting structure, a

conveyor for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage on the structure movable in the same direction as material on the conveyor, a guide pivotally' mounted on the carriage, a cutter reciprocable on the guide, means for turning the guide to shift the cutter laterally after a cutj ting stroke.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a supporting structure, a conveyor for supporting and advancing strip mareceiving and advancing severed strip material from the first conveyor, drive means for the conveyors, and an impulse'mechanism including an overrunning clutch for momentarily increasing the speed of the second conveyor, said mechanism being timed with the cutter to effect said speed increase after each strip severing movementof the cutter.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising a first conveyor for supporting and advancing continuous strip material, a movable cutter associated with the conveyor to sever material advancing thereon, actuating means for the cutter, a second conveyor for receiving and advancing severed strip material from the first conveyor, drive means for the conveyors, said drive means including an impulse mechanism for momentarily increasing the speed of the second conveyor, and controls for starting the cutter actuating means and the impulse mechanism, said controls including an element associated with the second conveyor and engageable with strip material advancing thereon to start the cutter actuating means.

15. {The method of cutting a continuous strip of plastic material into pieces which comprises supporting and advancing the strip, moving a cutter synchronously with the strip, passing the moving cutter obliquely through the strip to sever the same and provide a beveled cut edge, shifting the cutter laterally before withdrawing the same from the strip to separate the severed ends, and carrying the severed piece away faster than the strip is advanced to prevent contact between the severed ends.

16. The method of cutting a continuous strip moving cutter through of plastic material into pieceswhich comprises supporting and advancing the strip, moving a cutter synchronously with the strip, passing the moving cutter obliquely and downwardly through the strip to sever the same and provide beveled edges one of which overlaps the other, shifting the cutter laterally before withdrawing-the same from between the beveled edges uppermost edge and separate the same from the lowermost edge, and carrying the severed piece away faster than the strip is advanced to prevent contact between the severed ends.

17. The method of cutting a continuous strip of plastic material into pieces, which comprises supporting and advancing the strip, moving a cutter synchronously with the strip, passing the the strip to sever the before withseparate the same, shifting the cutter laterally drawing the same from the strip to "severed ends, and carrying the severed piece away faster than the strip is advanced to prevent contact between the severed ends.

18. Apparatus of the character described com prising in combination an endless conveyor for supporting strip material on the upper run thereof, means for driving the conveyor to advance to raise the the supported material, a carriage supported for movement parallelingthe conveyor, a knife on the carriage, means'actuable by the carriage movement for operating the knife to sever the advancing material, and means connecting the carriage and the conveyor for synchronous movement, said last means including a member movable in the direction of the conveyor and having connection with the carriage to apply a motivating force to the latter.

19. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination an endless conveyor for supporting strip material on the upper run thereof, means for driving the conveyor to advance the supported material, a carriage supported 9 strip and having spaced ends, a vertical pivot adjacent one of said conveyor ends, an intermediate steering conveyor extending between said conveyor ends and mounted on said pivot, and means for swinging the steering conveyor horizontally about the pivot to guide strip material passing thereover from one of said pair of conveyors to the other.

23. In apparatus for strip of plastic material,

handling a continuous strip and having spaced a change in the longitudinal dimension of the strip as the latter moves between said ends, and an intermediate conveyor of greater length than the strip width disposed between said conveyor ends to support the strip during said dimensional change, said intermediate conveyor being of the non-driven type whereby the strip is advanced thereover solely by forces within the strip.

24. In apparatus for handling a continuous strip of plastic material, a pair of conveyors disposed to successively receive and. advance the strip and having spaced ends, means for driving the conveyors at difierent rates-of speed to effect a change in the longitudinal dimension ofthe strip as the latter moves between said ends, and a plurality. of rollers disposedin side byside relation between said conveyor ends to support the strip during said dimensional change.

25.; In apparatus for handling a continuous strip of plastic material, a pair of conveyors disposed to successively receive and advance the strip and having spaced ends, means for driving the conveyors at diiferent rates of speed to effect a change in the longitudinal dimension of the for movement paralleling the conveyor, a knife 1 on the carriage, means actuable by the carriage movement for operating the knife to sever the advancing material, means for clamping the carriage to the conveyor for synchronous movement therewith, and a driven member movable strip of plastic material, a driven conveyor for supporting and advancing the strip, a roller concontinuation of the driven.

to first actuate the clamping means and to then apply a motivating force'to the carriage.

20. In apparatus for handling a continuous strip of plastic less belt conveyors disposedto successively receive and advance the strip, means for driving said conveyors, an intermediate steering conveyor interposed between said pair of conveyors and over which the strip material is advanced solely by forces ,within the strip, and means supporting the steering conveyor for lateral shifting movement,

21. In apparatus for handling a continuous strip of plasticmaterial, a pair of spaced endless belt conveyors disposed to successively receive andadvance the stri means for driving said conveyors, an intermediate steering conveyor interposed between said pair of conveyors and over which the strip material is advanced solely by forces within the strip, said steering conmaterial, a pair of spaced endveyor including a frame and means mounting" strip as the latter moves between said ends, and an intermediate conveyor of greater length than the stripwidth disposed between said conveyor ends to support the strip during said dimensional change, said intermediate conveyor having a plurality of rollersdisposed in side by side relation to engage the underside of the strip material.

26. In apparatus ,for handling a continuous veyor extending as a conveyor, said roller conveyor being-of the nondriven type whereby the strip is moved thereover solely by forces within the strip, and means mounting the roller conveyor for pivotal movement about a vertical axis to steer the advancing strip. 1

27. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor onthe structure for supporting and advancing a continuous strip of plastic material,

a reciprocable carriage movable from a starting position in parallelism with an advancing strip,

a cutter on the carriage actuable to sever such strip, means for holding the carriage in predetermined position relative to the supporting structure. at said starting position including an' electromagnet and a stop attractable thereby, and means controlling the energization of the electromagnet to hold the stop against the magnet during the movement or'the strip over the conveyor and to release the stop for movement of the carriage with the strip in response to the movement of a predetermined length of strip material over the conveyor.

28. Apparatus of the character described com supporting structure,

prising in combination, a

a conveyor for supporting and advancing strip a pair of conveyors disposed to successively receive and advance the ends, means for driving the-conveyors at different rates of speed to effect material, a carriage movable in the same direction as thematerial on the conveyor, clamp means for securing the carriage to the conveyor for synchronous movement therewith, means for actuating the clamp means and for driving the carriage, control means responsive to the movea conveyor for advancing a continuous strip of plastic material, a carriage on the structure and having a cutter movable to sever the strip, means for holding the carriage in predetermined position relative to the structure including an electromagnet and an energizing circuit therefor, a switchin said circuit, and a movable finger engageable with the advancing strip and having connection with the switch to actuate the latter.

30. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for advancing a continuous strip of plastic material, a carriage on the structure and having a cutter movable to sever the strip, means for movingthe carriage with the strip on the conveyor, a control for initiating operation of the moving means and including a finger engageable with the strip, and a threaded rod rotatabLv carried by the structure and having connection with the finger to shift the latter in the direction of movement of the strip.

31. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for advancing a continuous strip of ment of strip material on the conveyor for startof said conveyor and means actuating the pair of belts to move in unison and forward said strip material, a reciprocable carriage 'movable with the conveyor and having a cutter for severing said strip, and means governing the carriage movement including a yieldable finger extending upwardly between said pair of belts in the path of strip material being forwarded thereby.

34. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, an endless belt conveyor for supporting and advancing a continuous strip of plastic material, a pair of endless belts disposed in side by side relation as a continuation of said conveyor and means actuating the pair of belts to move in unison and forward said strip material, a carriage and means supporting the same for reciprocation in parallelism with the conveyor, means for clamping the carriage to the conveyor belt for movement therewith, a cutter on the carriage for severing the strip, and means governing the clamping means including a yieldable finger extending upwardly between said Pair of belts in the path of strip material being forwarded thereby. I I

35. Apparatus of the character described comprising a conveyor for supporting and advancing a continuous strip of plastic material during the severing of the latter, a conveyor for receiving strip material from the advancing conveyor and forwarding the received strip, drive means for the forwarding conveyor including shaft means and a pair of o'verrunning clutches on the shaft means, means interconnecting the advancing conveyor and one of the clutches for actuating the conveyors in synchronous relation, and an impulse mechanism having connection with the other clutch to impart a momentary speed increase to the forwarding conveyor.

plastic material, a carriage on the structure and having a cutter movable to sever the strip, fluid operated means for moving the carriage with the strip on the conveyor, an electrically operated valve controlling the supply of fluid to said means, electric means for holding the carriage in predetermined position relative to the structure, a circuit common to the valve and the holding means including switch means, and a movable finger engageable with the advancing strip and having connection with the switch means to actuate the latter and thereby simultaneously control the operation of the carriage moving means and the'carriage holding means.

32. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a conveyor for advancing a continuous strip of plastic material, a carriage on the structure and having a cutter movable to sever the strip, fluid operated means for moving the carriage with the strip on the conveyor, an electrically operated valve controlling the supply of fluid to said means, an electromagnet on the structure and a member on the carriage engageable therewithto hold the carriage in predetermined position relative to the structure, a circuit including switch means for simultaneously operating the valve to supply fluid to the carriage moving means and de-energizing the electromagnet to release the carriage, and means engageable with the advancing strip and having connection with the switch means to actuate the latter.

33. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, an endless belt conveyor for supporting and advancing a continuous strip of plastic material, a pair of endless belts disposed in side by side relation as a continuation 36. Apparatus of the character described comprising a conveyor'fqr supporting and advancing a continuous strip of plastic material during the severing of .the latter, 'a conveyor for receiving strip material from the advancing conveyor and forwarding the received strip, drive means for the forwarding conveyor including shaft means and a pair of overrunning clutches on the shaft means, means interconnecting the advancing conveyor and one of the clutches for actuating the conveyors in synchronous relation, a, pinion having connection with the other clutch, a rack engageable with the pinion, and fluid aotuable means for moving the rack to thereby operate the other clutch and impart a momentary speed increase to the forwarding conveyor.

37. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, an endless conveyor belt and'ineans supporting and actuating the same to receive continuous strip material on the upper run thereof and to advance the received material, a carriage and means supporting the same for reciprocation in parallelism with the belt run, clamp means on the carriage actuable to engage opposite sides of the belt run and grip the latter for synchronous movement of the carriage and the belt, and a cutter on the carriage for severrial, a carriage and means supporting the same for reciprocation in parallelism with the belt run, clamp members on the carriage above and below the belt run, toggle means for actuating the clamp members to grip the belt run therebetween and thereby move the carriage in ,synchro nism with the conveyor, and a cutter on the carriage for severing an advancing strip.

39. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination, an endless conveyor belt and means supporting and actuating the same to receive continuous strip material on the upper run thereof and to advance the received material, a carriage and means supporting the same for reciprocation in parallelism with the belt run, clamp members on the carriage above-and below the belt run, toggle means forfactuating the clamp members to grip the belt run therebetween and thereby move the carriage in synchronism with the conveyor, a cutter on the carriage for material advancing on the conveyor, a guide mounted on the carriage for mov'ement relative, I

thereto, a cutter movable on the guide, means for normally holding the guide in position so that the cutter movementis at an oblique angle to' advancing material, means operative to move the cutter through supported material to sever the same during travel of the carriage in one direc-' tion, means for moving the guide to shift the cutter laterally after severance oi'the material,

and means associated with the cutter moving means to return the guide to said position during travel of the carriage in a reverse direction.

42. Apparatus oi the character described com- 15 prising a conveyor for supporting and advancing severing an advancing strip, and a driven memfor actuating the cutter to sever advancing material, and means for moving the guide to shift the cutter laterally after severing the material.

41. Apparatus of the character described comprising a conveyor for supporting and advancing strip material, a carriage and means supporting the same for reciprocation in parallelism with material advancing on the conveyor, a guide mounted on the carriage for movement relative thereto, a cutter movable on the guide, a toggle joint and spring combination having connection with the guide to hold the latter in position for movement of the cutter thereon at an angle to advancingv material, means operative to move the cutter through supported material to sever the material during travel of the carriage in one direction, means for moving the toggle joint so that the spring collapses the latter and shifts the cutterlaterally after severance of the material, and means associated with the cutter moving means to return the guide to said position during travel of the carriage in a reverse direction.

strip material, a carriage and means supporting,

the same for reciprocation in parallelism with WALTER J. BRETH. MAX ENGLER. 

